SPA

Sleep: An Essential Ingredient for Memory Function

2012-01-14

We all know the old Ben Franklin quote, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." While I have not yet investigated the "wealthy" claim, Franklin was spot-on in the "healthy and wise" department; research has shown sleep to be a key contributor to optimal health and brain function.

Continue reading here:

http://www.scilearn.com/blog/sleep-learning-memory.php

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP

Certified Speech Language Pathologist

Brain Plasticity

2011-11-08

You may have heard that the brain is plastic. As you know the brain is not made of plastic! Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to CHANGE throughout life. The brain has the amazing ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between brain cells (neurons).

In addition to genetic factors, the environment in which a person lives, as well as the actions of that person, play a role in plasticity....

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/26/brain-plasticity-how-learning-changes-your-brain/

Process of Hearing in Animation

2011-10-14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkPj4IGbmQQ&feature=related

24 Life-Changing iPhone and iPad Apps for People with Brain Injury

2011-07-02

Revolutionary apps for simplifying everyday life with brain injury

Almost everyday, we hear of new smartphone applications developed for just about everything...from staying organized to finding pharmacies or restaurants while on the road. It’s hard to keep up.

The BrainLine team sifted through many resources to collect this list of iPhone, iTouch, and iPad apps that could be useful to people with a brain injury — and their families and caregivers. We will cover other smartphone platforms in the next installment of this series.

Download a chart of all 24 Apps.

But let’s backtrack for a moment. What makes a smartphone different from a regular mobile phone? And what exactly is an “app”?

http://www.brainline.org/content/2011/05/23-lifechanging-iphone-ipad-apps-for-people-with-brain-injury.html

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP

Certified Speech Language Pathologist

Better Speech and Hearing Month

2011-05-25

Better Speech and Hearing Month

The Hanen Centre’s Better Speech and Hearing created the following page to give you the important information you need about the warning signs of language delay and the importance of getting help early.

As a parent, you can make all the difference in helping your child become the best communicator he can be. If you find that your child’s language development is falling behind, don’t wait – take action right away to ensure
that he gets the help he needs.

Follow this link http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Better-Speech-and-Hearing.aspx

Don Harris, MS CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

SpeechEasy Helps Veteran Henry Rouse Deal With Stutter

2011-04-04

After a fellow soldier accidentally struck Henry Rouse in the head with a large artillery round while training in Iraq, the 27-year-old said the next thing he remembered was waking up...

Read the rest of the story here... http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110329/NEWS01/103290308/1002/news01/SpeechEasy-device-helps-Army-veteran-Henry-Rouse-deal-stutter

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP

Business Communication Specialist

Treating Ear Infections With Antibiotics

2011-02-14

New research on ear infections confronts a challenging conundrum: What should pediatricians do for a toddler with a real-deal ear infection? Treat with antibiotics or watch and wait? New research and a nice editorial published in The New England Journal of Medicine this week add to the stew of information about how to manage ear infections in young children. The new research confers benefit to using antibiotics at initial diagnosis of a true ear infection in children under age 2 or 3.

Read the complete article here. http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/treating-ear-infections-with-antibiotics/

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP

Certified Speech Language Pathologist

HEARING LOSS IN U.S. TEENS SHOOTS UP

2010-12-26

According to an ABC News report, more than 90 percent of young people listen to personal music players, which is a testament to the relentless drive of technology over the past 10 years.

Sadly, many people listen to those MP3 players with the sound cranked up to full volume for multiple hours each day. Research shows that 66 percent of personal music player users are listening to music at louder than 85 decibels, which according to the World Health Organization can cause permanent hearing damage.

Several small studies have found that reported use of personal music players is associated with declining hearing function in adolescents and young adults. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study that found hearing loss amongst U.S. teen's age 12 to 19 had shot up from 14.9 percent to 19.5 percent since about 1990.

LONGER LISTENING, MORE DAMAGE: Hearing loss isn't only related to the volume of your music, but also the duration at which you listen. Every time you increase a sound level by three decibels, listening for half as long will produce the same amount of hearing loss.

Earphones inserted into the ear canal produce sound waves, which can exceed 120 decibels -- a similar level to a jet leaving the runway (and just about as loud as a live rock concert).

Since damage to hearing caused by high volume is determined by its duration, continuous listening to a personal music player, even at a seemingly reasonable level, can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear that transmit sound impulses to the brain.

SAFE LISTENING: The Children's Hearing Institute (CHI) recommends that children not get exposed to loud noise over 80 decibels, while the average iPod is played at 100 to 115 decibels. Hearing experts recommend the 60/60 rule -- listening to personal music players for no more than 60 minutes at a time at 60 percent of maximum volume.

FUTURE: Hearing loss, which becomes more common with age, is creeping farther down the age spectrum.

An article in the journal Pediatrics estimated that 12.5 percent of children age 6 to 19, around 5.2 million -- have noise -- induced hearing loss.

From Grunting To Gabbing: Why Humans Can Talk

2010-10-09

Chimps and humans have the same basic vocal apparatus. So what are we the ones talking? Check out this linlk for the answer.

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=129083762&m=129135336

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP

Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

Results of Pilot Study Published in Journal Music and Medicine Reveal The Listening Program Helps Children With Down Syndrome Improve Speech Skills

2010-08-05

OGDEN, Utah, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Brain Technologies today announced results demonstrating that a modified music program followed for ten weeks, improved speech skills in children with Down syndrome. The results of the study, conducted in Nottingham, United Kingdom, were published Monday, in an early online before print version of the article scheduled to appear in the journal Music and Medicine(i).

It is well documented that children with Down syndrome have difficulty with hearing, auditory processing and language development. This pilot study was undertaken to trial tests and questionnaires for suitability for use with the children, to determine if any benefit could be established from the use of The Listening Program� as a prelude to a more formal study. The Listening Program� was developed by Advanced Brain Technologies (ABT) as a modified music method to improve auditory processing, self regulation and brain performance.

Nine children between the ages of 5 and 12 years took part, acting as their own controls. They used The Listening Program over a 10-week period. Each child listened to acoustically modified music, through headphones, for two 15-minute sessions, 5 days a week, for 10 weeks. A battery of tests recommended by specialists in speech and language and human communication, were performed before and after intervention. In addition, questionnaires were completed at the end by parents and teachers involved.

Although the children only completed half the recommended twenty week protocol due to time constraints, all experienced positive changes in speech and listening. Some made improvements in a number of additional areas. These positive findings are consistent with previous research studies using The Listening Program with children with learning difficulties, auditory processing disorder, and autism; among other issues.

"There is a great need to have a cost-effective, non-invasive approach to improving speech and language skills in people with Down syndrome," said Alex Doman, founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies. "While further study into the impact of The Listening Program is required for this purpose, the pilot study demonstrated this approach could be a very useful tool in improving communication in children with Down syndrome".

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder, present in one of every 800 live births.

About Advanced Brain Technologies

Advanced Brain Technologies (ABT) is a leading provider of non-invasive brain training programs. Building upon 70 years of experience, the company's multidisciplinary research and product design team develops brain plasticity based software and music programs. ABT programs are available online, and through a worldwide network of health and education providers. www.advancedbrain.com.

(i) Jeyes, G., Newton,C. Evaluation of The Listening Program in Assessing Auditory Processing and Speech Skills in Children with Down Syndrome. Music and Medicine August 2, 2010 doi: 10.1177/ 1943862110371809

Don Harris MS, CCC-SLP